Eight artists and designers have started their research in the Professional Doctorate Programme Arts + Creative. They are among the first participants in the pilot project initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in collaboration with the universities of applied sciences. This endeavour explores the necessity and feasibility of establishing an equivalent doctoral programme in the field. The Arts + Creative PD Programme encompasses all art and design disciplines, primarily fostering innovation within one’s respective field through rigorous research. Additionally, it aims to facilitate the renewal and improvement of practices in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, or nature and the environment, through artistic or design interventions. The PD candidates will conduct artistic or design research for four years. This initial round has the following candidates.
S†ëfan Schäfer, Amsterdam University of the Arts
Breaking Apart Together: Performing Speculative Design with Dying Mountains and Glaciers.
Considering the escalating mortality of glaciers and mountains in the Alps and Iceland, how can speculative design help humans and non-humans to confront and respond to these tragic losses? Is it conceivable for mountains and glaciers to become equal participants in climate crisis design processes? How does the displacement and demise of mountains and glaciers affect people emotionally when grappling with (future) ecological grief? By broadening the scope of mourning, what implications will the (future) demise of mountains and glaciers have on nearby non-human entities? Which non-humans mourn the (future) deceased, and what forms does this take?
Chinouk Filique de Miranda, ArtEZ University of the Arts
Digitised Practices in the Margins; Reimagining Fashion’s Virtual Interface.
Fashion and digital culture are inextricably linked. Digital media has revolutionised how we engage with fashion and offers us a virtual realm to shape our online identities. In this research, Chinouk Filique de Miranda delves into the intersection of fashion and virtual reality, examining its repercussions on our digital agency. The study focuses on identity in the digital age and the extent to which individuals can construct different forms of subjectivity. The objective is to contribute to broader advancements in an increasingly global and digital society, such as new forms of consumerism, capital, and cultural value.
Risk Hazekamp, Avans University of Applied Sciences
Unlearning Photography: Listening to Cyanobacteria.
Toxicity and analogue photography share more than just chemical production processes; they are also entwined in creating dominant socio-political power structures that define and categorise. In response to this toxic history, Risk Hazekamp investigates alternative photographic methods to view the world without a camera. These methods involve non-chemical production processes and adopt a non-human perspective. Hazekamp proposes a fresh approach to photography, wherein the photographer relinquishes control over the image and instead fosters the conditions for photographic images to emerge. The ultimate objective is to establish a ‘living micro-organic photographic process’ that continually converts carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
Read more about this project by Risk Hazekamp on the website of Caradt
Emily Huurdeman, Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Essaying as Collective Performative Practice.
At its core, essaying involves approaching a subject through critical, personal, artistic, and theoretical perspectives. The essay encompasses many artistic forms beyond the written essay. This research centres on the essay (essaying) as an interdisciplinary, performative, and collective process, enabling the interaction of diverse artistic practices and knowledge perspectives. The goal is to collaboratively generate and exchange essay iterations and critical reflection. Through essaying a topic, students and artistic researchers can experiment performatively, exploring the interaction of their theoretical research and artistic practice.
Agustín Martínez Caram, Hanze University of Applied Sciences
Lifestyle and Digital Sovereignty. A New Media Arts Approach to Collective Technological Empowerment for Holistic Care.
This artistic research aims to promote healthy lifestyle habits through new media art interventions. By incorporating technological processes, the study interrogates the potential of artistic research to enhance digital literacy and empower participants in managing their lifestyle habits using AI. Field research takes the form of AT-LABS, which serve as artistic spaces that facilitate interdisciplinary research into community building, digital literacy, and performative practices. Collaboration takes place with the Consortium Healthy Living as a Service, while guidance comes from various professionals in the fields of research and art and design.
Philippine Hoegen, HKU University of the Arts Utrecht
PERFORMING WORKING.
The ‘problem with work’ lies in its ability to exhaust us. Furthermore, flexible work arrangements have become pervasive. At the same time, many individuals are either not allowed or unable to work, and significant forms of work often remain unnoticed. Typically, we examine these issues from medical, social, or legal perspectives. However, artistic research offers an alternative approach by prioritising the body, doing, and experiential knowledge. This research aims to better comprehend what does and doesn’t constitute work. For instance, it explores the – often invisible – work performed by patients in a hospital setting and looks into the reasons behind labelling certain activities as work while disregarding others. Performing Working aims to enhance our understanding of the role of work in our lives.
Nadja van der Weide, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
The art of the mediated dialogue – Exploring the Role of Ownership, Technology, and Participation in Facilitating Dialogue within Local Communities.
Participatory methods are increasingly recognised as effective approaches for examining social, technical, and political challenges within society. Art, design, and digital media have emerged as powerful tools for cultivating positive stakeholder relationships and generating fresh perspectives on shared (public) spaces. Mediated dialogues are one such method, facilitating important conversations to shape our future and embrace diversity. This research, led by Nadja van der Weide, focuses on the optimisation and implementation of mediated dialogues, utilising digital technology to facilitate these interactions.
reinaart vanhoe, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Learning from ruangrupa & documenta fifteen.
This PD research investigates the concept of collectivity in art, taking inspiration from the Indonesian multidisciplinary art collective ruangrupa and its utilisation of the international art exhibition ‘documenta’ as a working tool. The practices of ruangrupa serve as both an exercise and a starting point to address inquiries regarding forms of self-organisation within and beyond the realm of art. This investigation explores how contemporary art can transcend established Western paradigms of museums, galleries, and curatorial practices and what insights we can glean from integrating art into everyday life practices.
Currently, 15 universities of applied science are participating in the Professional Doctorate Arts + Creative programme, and they will recommend 34 candidates. The participating Universities of Applied Sciences are Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam University of the Arts, ArtEZ University of the Arts, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Codarts Rotterdam, Design Academy Eindhoven, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, HKU University of the Arts Utrecht, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, University of the Arts The Hague, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.
Taskforce for Applied Research (Regieorgaan SIA) is a partner of the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (Vereniging Hogescholen) in the implementation of the pilot, and its specific task is to stimulate the research quality of the PD tracks. One way the Regieorgaan does this is by funding PD candidates. The pilot started in February 2023 and should be completed in 2029.